Relocatable storage tanks for liquids and granular materials

ABSTRACT

A relocatable storage tank for flowable materials such as liquids and granular materials comprises a bag of flexible material and has a generally square, rectangular, or circular shape, resting on a solid surface, together with at least one central post which supports the upper portion of the bag, wherein the post aids in carrying the weight of the flowable materials to the ground, thereby reducing the associated mechanical tensions in the fabric of the flexible material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/325,461 filed Sep. 28, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to flexible storagetanks, and more particularly to a flexible relocatable storage tank forflowable materials such as liquids and granular material.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Conventional structures for relocatable and collapsible tanksutilize designs such as a pillow or bladder tank, available from AeroTec Laboratories, Inc., NJ, USA and others, which consists of a bag madein the shape of a pillowcase using flexible material. When empty, thebag folds flat and may be rolled or folded for storage and shipment. Thefilling/discharge flange is integrated into the top panel of thematerial, and the storage volume is sealed at all times with anegligible air or vapor pocket. This conventional design is a formlesspackage when folded for transport with no real strong confluence pointsto allow for lifting to load onto a transport. In larger sizes, it mustbe loaded onto a single stiff pallet to allow for lifting by a forkliftor crane. One of the other drawbacks of this conventional design is thatthe pillow tank does not tolerate high site slopes, and requiresrelatively high site areas because the average depth of the storedliquid inside of the tank is low. Moreover, such tanks appear to berelatively expensive, and do not lend themselves to the storage ofgranular materials. Also, liquids stored in the pillow tanks, which areexposed to bright sunlight, get extremely hot. This is undesirable forfuels or potable water. In order to ameliorate this effect, a coverneeds to protect the tank from the sun, which requires a considerablestructure to span the overall exposed surface of the tank.

[0006] Another conventional design uses rigid tanks, which are builtwith rigid panels forming the sides, and often a rigid metal supportframe. The loads imposed by the stored liquid or grain are carrieddirectly by these panels. These tanks may have a plastic membrane liner;however, this is not structural, rather it is provided more for sealingpurposes only. Such tanks usually require prepared unsloped sites.

[0007] Other conventional designs consist of flexible bags with anexternal frame, such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. D334,238 andissued to Spedini, further illustrated in FIG. 1 herein. These designsare used especially for above-ground swimming pools, and consist of atank using a bag of strong flexible material supported by an externalmetal frame consisting of a rim in the horizontal plane, supported offthe ground by a series of inclined metal posts. As shown in FIG. 1, theflexible bag is a structural member which carries the loads imposed bythe weight of the peripheral liquid or grain to the rim of the tank, andhence to the ground via the supporting posts. The weight of theliquid/grain in the central area of the tank, where the fabric is incontact with the ground, is supported directly by the ground. Thisconventional design offers a highly portable, low weight tank, which canbe quickly and easily installed and dismantled. However it suffers fromthe following disadvantages.

[0008] First, the external structure of the conventional fabric tankmust be considerably over-designed for the chosen depth of theassociated liquid/grain because for depths differing from the designdepth, the rim and external posts of the tank are subjected to extrabending loads, as depicted in the illustration of the conventionaldesign used in practice shown in FIG. 2. This is particularly criticalfor the posts, which are subjected to significant compression forces,because the applied bending significantly increases the tendency for theposts to buckle. A second disadvantage of the conventional design shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 is that for similar reasons related to the varyingdepths of the associated liquid/grain, the problem is exacerbated if thetank is to be used in an emergency or unprepared, sloping, or undulatingground. Typically, these conventional tanks are severely limited to afew degrees of slope. Thus, such designs with external frames are usedprimarily for aboveground swimming pools, where the water is typicallyat or close to design depth, and such designs have found no functionalapplication in storage tanks, which of course, must accommodate a largerange of depths.

[0009] Moreover, the conventional fabric tank designs use relativelylight fabrics for the bag and several light rigid components for theexternal frame. However, it is really only suitable for applicationswhich can accept an open liquid surface, thereby limiting its use tonon-potable water. Moreover, these conventional designs do not easilyaccept other granular materials, nor do they tolerate more than minimalslopes, and the frame must be stiffened appreciably to cope withpartially filled conditions.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a relocatable storage tank forflowable materials such as liquids and granular materials comprising abag of flexible material and having a generally square, rectangular, orcircular shape, resting on a solid surface, together with at least onecentral post which supports the upper portion of the bag, wherein thepost aids in carrying the weight of the flowable materials to theground, thereby reducing the associated mechanical tensions in thefabric of the flexible material. Moreover, there is a need for a largerflexible relocatable storage tank for flowable materials such as liquidsand granular materials which can improve the ease of relocation of thestored materials, and which allows for the use of the storage tank inconfined and sloping sites, especially for temporary and/or emergencysituations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In view of the foregoing and other problems, disadvantages, anddrawbacks of the conventional storage tanks the present invention hasbeen devised, and it is an object of the present invention to provide astructure for a relocatable storage tank for liquids and granularmaterials. It is another object of the present invention to provide astructure for a relocatable storage tank for liquids and granularmaterials which improves the ease of relocation of the tank, and toallow use of the tank in confined and on sloping sites, especially fortemporary and emergency conditions. It is a further object of thepresent invention to allow for larger depths of storage for the storedliquids in the storage tank. Still another object of the presentinvention is to allow for filling, storage, and discharge of granularmaterials from the storage tank. Yet another object of the presentinvention is to collect and carry the peripheral liquid/granular loadsin tension, in at least one internal support system.

[0012] In order to attain the objects suggested above, there isprovided, according to one aspect of the invention, a storage tank forflowable material such as liquids and granular material, wherein thestorage tank comprises a container of flexible material, wherein theflexible material comprises a base portion for engaging a supportingsurface, and at least one supporting post system mounted over the baseportion and supported by the supporting surface, wherein the flexiblematerial extending upwardly from the base portion forms a side portionand an upper portion of the storage tank, and is secured to thesupporting post system. Furthermore, the storage tank of the presentinvention is provided in multi-geometrical embodiments includinggenerally square, rectangle, circular, and polygonal shapes. In analternative embodiment, the storage tank comprises an upper cappositioned on the upper portion of the storage tank. In anotheralternative embodiment, the storage tank further comprises supportcables attaching the supporting post system to the supporting surface.

[0013] Additionally, the supporting post is generally rigid. Also, in analternative embodiment, the supporting post is generally solid.Alternatively, the supporting post is generally hollow. In anotherembodiment, the at least one supporting post system comprises aplurality of supporting posts interconnected by a linking element. Stillalternatively, the storage tank comprises an outer support fabric overthe flexible material.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, a storage tank for flowablematerial such as liquids and granular material comprises a container offlexible material, wherein the flexible material comprises a baseportion for engaging a supporting surface, and at least one supportsystem positioned over the base portion, wherein the flexible materialextends upwardly from the base portion to form a side portion and anupper portion of the storage tank, and is secured to one of a supportrim and the support system. The support system comprises one of a postand a float. Moreover, the post may be either solid or hollow. In analternative embodiment, the storage tank further comprises a pluralityof cables attaching the support rim to the support system. Furthermore,in another embodiment, the at least one support system comprises aplurality of supports interconnected by a linking element.Alternatively, the storage tank comprises an outer support fabric overthe flexible material.

[0015] In another alternative embodiment, the present invention providesa storage tank for flowable material such as liquids and granularmaterial, wherein the storage tank comprises a flexible bag having aside portion and an upper portion. The storage tank further comprises atleast one support structure contained within the flexible bag, wherebythe support structure is positioned below the upper portion of theflexible bag, wherein the flexible bag is secured to a supportingsurface, and wherein the support structure is secured to the supportingsurface. Alternatively, the storage tank further comprises a pluralityof cables attaching the support rim to the support structure. Thesupport structure may be embodied as a post, which may be hollow orsolid, or the support structure may be embodied as a float. Stillalternatively, the at least one support structure comprises a pluralityof supports interconnected by a linking element. In another embodiment,the storage tank further comprises an outer support fabric over theflexible material.

[0016] The present invention overcomes the several disadvantages of theconventional designs. For example, the present invention provides for anessentially vertical storage of the tank when it is not in use (i.e.,stored footprint is very small), without requiring accessory equipment.Also, the present invention is easily loadable and carried to site by aforklift, crane, etc., without requiring accessory lifting gear such aspallets or a carrying case. The present invention tolerates installationand filling on sloping sites. Moreover, on steep slopes (approximately10 degree grade), the present invention can easily be made stable byutilizing simple guy ropes/cables attached to the central post andanchored to the high side of the site. Additionally, the presentinvention's central post provides a support for a fly sheet for solarheating and UV protection at a low cost. In fact, it is feasible to usethis fly sheet to create some shrapnel protection for military use.

[0017] Other advantages of the present invention are that the presentdesign allows for larger depths of stored liquids than conventionalflexible tanks, and hence smaller footprint areas for a given capacity,which is ideal at congested or restricted sites. Furthermore, thepresent design accommodates for filling, storage, and discharge ofgranular materials at lower production costs compared to traditionaldesigns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will bebetter understood from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings,in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional fabric tankdesign;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional fabric tankdesign;

[0021]FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a storage tank according to thepresent invention;

[0022]FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of the storage tank of FIG. 3A on asloped surface according to the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of the storage tank of FIG. 3A on asloped surface according to the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of astorage tank according to the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of thestorage tank of FIG. 4A according to the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of thestorage tank of FIG. 4A according to the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of thestorage tank of FIG. 4A according to the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 5A is a top view of a storage tank configuration according tothe present invention;

[0029]FIG. 5B is a top view of an alternative storage tank configurationaccording to the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 5C is a top view of an alternative storage tank configurationaccording to the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 5D is a top view of an alternative storage tank configurationaccording to the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 5E is a top view of an alternative storage tank configurationaccording to the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 5F is a top view of an alternative storage tank configurationaccording to the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 5G is a top view of an alternative storage tank configurationaccording to the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 5H is a top view of an alternative storage tank configurationaccording to the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 51 is a top view of an alternative storage tank configurationaccording to the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 5J is a top view of an alternative storage tank configurationaccording to the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 5K is a top view of an alternative storage tank configurationaccording to the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of astorage tank according to the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of astorage tank according to the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of astorage tank according to the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of astorage tank according to the present invention; and

[0043]FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of astorage tank according to the present invention.

[0044]FIG. 9C is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of astorage tank according to the present invention.

[0045]FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of astorage tank according to the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of astorage tank according to the present invention; and

[0047]FIG. 10C is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of astorage tank according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0048] As previously mentioned, there is a need for a novel relocatablestorage tank for liquids and granular materials. The present inventionprovides a relocatable storage tank, which may be easily stored,transported, and assembled if necessary, on unprepared and/or slopingsites. The present invention provides a flexible storage tank capable oftaking some of the weight of the stored liquid or grain down to theground through a support system, embodied as vertical post(s), therebyrelieving the flexible bag of some of the weight, which in turn, allowsfor reduced mechanical tensions in the bag.

[0049] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 3through 10, there are shown preferred embodiments of the structuresaccording to the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 3A illustrates astorage tank 1 positioned on a level planar supporting surface 2. Thestorage tank 1 comprises a container 3 of flexible material 4 forstoring internal contents such as liquids and granular materials 19 atvarying design depths 9. The container 3 further comprises a baseportion 5 for engaging the supporting surface 2. Moreover, the container3 further comprises at least one supporting system (support structure) 6preferably embodied as a post 6 mounted over the base portion 5 and issupported by the supporting surface 2. The flexible material 4 extendsupwardly from the base portion 5 to form the sides 8 and the upperportion 17 of the tank 1, and is secured to the supporting post 1 at theupper portion 17 of the container 3.

[0050] The internal frame support system 11 of the tank 1 comprises theat least one column or post 6, placed inside the suitably shapedflexible bag 4. In this design, all of the peripheral liquid/granularloads are carried up the fabric sides 8 to the top 7 of the central post6. FIG. 3A shows the storage tank 1 on a zero degree grade flat site 2,whereby all of the horizontal components of the loads are balanced, andthe only load to be carried by the post 6 is a vertical compressionload, which the generally large-diameter single post 6 can easilywithstand without buckling.

[0051] The angle of the top or “roof” 17 (the angle of the roof is thatportion above the waterline 9 to the top 7 of the post 6) of the tank 1may be selected, preferably at any angle less than approximately 80degrees, but for acceptable post heights, it is best selected no greaterthan approximately 45 degrees from the horizontal. The shape of thecurved side 8 of the fabric bag 4 is best calculated for the chosen roofangle at the design depth 9, when the fabric tensions are highest. Fortwo dimensional balance, the curve 8 is established by making the localradius of curvature of the bag 3 at each liquid (or granular material)depth 9 according to the formula R=K(T/H), where R is the local radiusof curvature, T is the fabric tension, H is the local depth of thestored material, and K is a constant and depends on the density of thestored material.

[0052] From the design level 9 to the top 7 of the post(s) 6, the bag 3is generally straight. The bag 3 may distort somewhat from this datumshape on sloping sites, and when the tank is less than full, but this isaccommodated by the flexible fabric 4, and the tensions do not increasesignificantly beyond the design datum.

[0053] If the site 2 is sloping or undulating, as indicated by the fivedegree slope in FIG. 3B, the horizontal loads will not be completely inbalance, resulting in an overturning and bending moment M in the centralpost 6. For effective site slopes up to approximately 10 degrees, asindicated in FIG. 3C, this overturning and bending moment M can easilybe carried by the generally short, large diameter column 6 withoutoverturning or buckling. Furthermore, for such steep site slopes, asmaller diameter central column 6 may be used and be relieved of some orall of this overturning and bending moment M by attaching support cables10, such as guy wires/cables 10 to the support post system 6, andpreferably at the top 7 of the column 6, and anchoring the wires 10 tothe ground 2 on the upper sides(s) 111 of the site 2.

[0054] This present design with an internal frame 11 makes it feasibleto use existing fabrics 4 for water depths 9 up to approximately 10feet, and grain depths 9 up to approximately 20 feet, with adequatefactors of safety on fabric strength, for a large variety of square,rectangular, polygonal, and circular tank shapes.

[0055] The entry/exit locations 12 for the stored material 9 may bewithin the post(s) 6 themselves, or in the fabric bag 4. The conceptallows for virtually any shape/configuration of the tank 1. For example,FIG. 4A shows the geometry for a “square” tank 1 with a liquid depth 9one-third of the overall length L of the tank 1, and a sloped top orroof 17 to shed rain and snow. The length L is the overall length of thetank 1 when filled. This is within a few % of the length of the tank 1when empty. The length L of this configuration may be increased withoutincreasing the liquid depth 9, as shown in FIG. 4B. If eventually thecentral post 6 becomes unacceptably high, then multiple posts 6 can beused, and interconnected together with a linking element 13, as shown inFIG. 4C. Alternatively, the slope of the roof 17 may beincreased/decreased as shown in FIG. 4D, depending on the rate of rainand snow to be shed, or the granular material to be stored. Preferably,for granular material storage, the design is best arranged with a roofangle steeper than its angle of repose.

[0056] In an identical fashion, the width of the tank may also beincreased, giving rise to multiple configurations shown in FIGS. 5Athrough 5K. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, thatother configurations not specifically illustrated herein, may be usedwithin the context of this invention.

[0057] For non-emergency situations, where it is feasible and economicalto create a depression 14 in the ground 2 below the tank 100, the fabricbag 4 can be shaped whereby the base portion 5 of the storage tank 100fits into this depression 14, as is depicted in FIG. 6. This allowspractically all of the stored liquid to be drawn off, and all of thestored granular material 19 to be stored as long as the depression angleis greater than the angle of repose. Alternatively, an inverted conicalor pyramidal depression may be formed by an elevated rigid platform 52,to allow for unloading of the container by gravity as seen in FIG. 10B.

[0058] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 7, if necessary, to reduce thenon-divisible weight for installation or transportation, or to carryhigher tensions from increases in stored depth 9, the fabric bag 4 cancomprise a load-carrying outer support fabric 44 and an insidenon-load-carrying plastic liner 15 for sealing the liquids or grains 19.The outer support fabric 44, which is positioned over the flexiblematerial 4, may comprise, for example, a polymer coating on a woven baseor scrim cloth. The inner plastic liner 15 may comprise, for example, asingle film of polymer, which could expand with the water depth 9. Thissolution may be particularly useful for military purposes, where thetank 1 could be shipped with several different plastic liners 15, to bechosen or rotated at the site to allow for storage of fuel, potablewater, etc. It could also be useful to form a completely sealed storagevolume 117, which needs no venting.

[0059] In all or most of the configurations described above, therequired vertical loads could alternatively be provided by pressurizedbuoyancy bag(s) 16 floating on the liquid/grains 19 acting as thesupport system, as shown in FIG. 8, instead of by rigid post(s). FIG. 9Ashows the geometry for a storage tank 1 with a fixed bottom cap 20 and aremovable top cap 37. The upper cap 37 is positioned on the upperportion 17 of the storage tank 1. The fabric 4 may be constructed using,for example, a 22 oz/sq.yd. high strength PVC/polyester fabric. It maybe folded and placed inside the hollow supporting post system (cylinder)6 for transportation and storage. The diameter of cylinder 6 issufficient to stabilize the tank 1 when fully or partially filled 9,even on site slopes of 8 to 10 degrees. The fabric bag 4 of thecontainer 3 can either be carried all the way to the central post 6, asindicated in FIG. 9A, or may be terminated just above the waterline 9 ina metal rim 21, as shown in FIG. 9B, while straps or cables 22 carry thefabric loads to the central post 6.

[0060] The present invention may be practiced in several alternativeembodiments depending on the application of use. For example, thetraditional use is to utilize a square planform tank 1 with a singlevertical post 6, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. In emergency fire fightingor fish farming use, the open tank 101 design of the present inventionis most suitable, which requires taking the fabric loads to a stillmetal support rim 21, and carrying those loads to the support system(post) 6 by cables or straps 22 as shown in FIG. 9B. For potable wateruses, the top 17 of the storage tank 1 should be sealed, which is bestperformed by continuing the fabric 4 directly to the support system(post) 6, either in a stronger fabric 4 at the top 7 or by reinforcingstraps (not shown) welded to the fabric.

[0061] The preferred post configuration for non-potable water is to makethe post 6 as a hollow canister (cylinder) large enough to contain thefabric bag 4 when it is folded. This means that the bag 4 can itself bestored in the rigid canister 6 when the tank 1 is not in use, protectedfrom UV and dust, and storage and handling damage. The footprint of thecanister 6 is generally small which is important for storage andshipment in readiness for emergency applications. For potable watertanks 201, as shown in FIG. 9C, the post 60 is made with a generallysmall diameter (with a generally wider base 131 and top 132), and thefabric bag 40 is folded up on the outside of the narrow post 60. Anupper cap 30 may also be provided. This configuration does not providethe tank storage protection, which the canister design provides.However, it avoids any possible contamination, which might otherwise becaused by inserting the canister 6 into the bag 4 on site.

[0062] Some of the alternative embodiments of the present inventioninclude using multi-shaped tanks with multiple posts, such as thosedescribed in FIGS. 5A through 5K. Other embodiments include having thebags 4 shaped to fit a level, conical, or V-shaped site 2, or to bemounted on the surface of a raised platform 52 with a rigid surfaceproviding the bottom to the tank 301, 401, 501 as shown in FIGS. 10Athrough 10C, respectively. Alternatively, a substitute buoyant sphere 16for generally square-shaped tanks 1, as seen in FIG. 8, or a buoyanttube 25 positioned along the centerline of a generally rectangular tank1, may be used instead of the post(s) 6, as shown in FIG. 5J. Stillalternatively, for generally larger tanks, use of a structural outer bag14, which may be a woven mesh or net to carry the loads and a thinnernon-porous liner 15 to seal the liquid may be incorporated. Moreover,the loads generally increase near the support posts 6. In order to carryincreased tensions, several alternatives exist. First, heavier fabrics 4may be used near the upper portion 17 of the storage tank 1. Second,welded on webbing straps 10, 22 may be used. Third, rods 125 may be usedto collect the loads and distribute them to the top 7 of the posts 6 bycables or straps 122 (see FIG. 5K). Fourth, catenary cables (not shown)may be used.

[0063] In the alternative embodiments described above, and asillustrated in FIGS. 10A through 10C, the fabric bag 4 and supportstructure 6 are attached directly to the supporting surface (ground 2 asseen in FIGS. 10A and 10C, or a raised platform 52, such as the bed of atransportation vehicle as seen in FIG. 10B) thereby avoiding thenecessity of having a fabric base portion 5 as required by theembodiments illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 6. In FIG. 10A, the storagetank 1 comprises a flexible bag 4 having a side portion 8 and an upperportion 17; and at least one support structure 6 contained within theflexible bag 4, wherein the support structure 6 is positioned below theupper portion 17 of the flexible bag 4, wherein the flexible bag 4 issecured to a supporting surface 2, and wherein the support structure 6is secured to supporting surface 2.

[0064] The present invention overcomes the several disadvantages of theconventional designs. For example, the present invention provides for anessentially vertical storage of the tank when it is not in use, withoutrequiring accessory equipment (i.e., stored footprint is very small).Also, the present invention is easily loadable and carried to site by aforklift, crane, etc., without requiring accessory lifting gear such aspallets or a carrying case. The present invention tolerates installationand filling on sloping sites. Moreover, on steep slopes (approximately10 degree grade), the present invention can easily be made stable byutilizing simple guy ropes/cables 10 attached to the central post 6 andanchored to the high side 11 of the site 2. Additionally, the presentinvention's central post 6 provides a support for a fly sheet for solarheating and UV protection at a low cost. In fact, it is feasible to usethis fly sheet to create some shrapnel protection for military use.

[0065] Other advantages of the present invention are that the presentdesign allows for larger depths of stored liquids than conventionalflexible tanks, and hence smaller footprint areas for a given capacity,which is ideal at congested or restricted sites. Furthermore, thepresent designs accommodate for filling, storage, and discharge ofgranular materials at lower production costs compared to traditionaldesigns.

[0066] While the invention has been described in terms of preferredembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

1-20 (Cancelled).
 21. A flexible container comprising: a base portionfor engaging a supporting surface; a side portion extending upwardlyfrom said base portion; a non-buckling supporting post system mountedover a substantially central portion of said base portion and supportedby said supporting surface; and a sloped upper portion opposite saidbase portion, and extending upwardly from said side portion to engagesaid supporting post system; wherein said supporting post system beingconfined within said base portion and said side portion, and wherein avertical load carried by said supporting post system is a compressionload.
 22. The flexible container of claim 21, further comprising anupper cap positioned on said sloped upper portion.
 23. The flexiblecontainer of claim 21, further comprising support cables attaching saidsupporting post system to said supporting surface.
 24. The flexiblecontainer of claim 21, wherein said supporting post system is hollow.25. The flexible container of claim 21, further comprising an entry/exitopening in said sloped upper portion.
 26. The flexible container ofclaim 21, further comprising an outer support fabric over said sideportion and said sloped upper portion.
 27. The flexible container ofclaim 21, further comprising a covering sheet over said side portion andsaid sloped upper portion.
 28. A partially-closed flexible containercomprising: a base portion for engaging a supporting surface; a sideportion extending upwardly from said base portion; a support rimpositioned over said base portion; a sloped upper portion extendingupwardly from said side portion and attached to said support rim; and anon-buckling support post system mounted over a substantially centralportion of said base portion and supported by said supporting surface,wherein said support post system being confined within said base portionand said side portion, and wherein a vertical load carried by saidsupport post system is a compression load.
 29. The flexible container ofclaim 28, further comprising a plurality of cables attaching saidsupport rim to said support post system.
 30. The flexible container ofclaim 28, wherein said support post system comprises a hollow post. 31.The flexible container of claim 28, further comprising an entry/exitopening in said sloped upper portion.
 32. The flexible container ofclaim 28, further comprising an outer support fabric over said sideportion and said sloped upper portion.
 33. The flexible container ofclaim 28, further comprising a covering sheet over said side portion andsaid sloped upper portion.
 34. A partially-open flexible bag comprising:a side portion; a sloped upper portion extending upwardly from said sideportion; and a non-buckling support post structure confined within saidside portion and said sloped upper portion, and positioned below asubstantially central portion of said upper portion, wherein a verticalload carried by said support post structure is a compression load.wherein said flexible bag is secured to a supporting surface oppositesaid upper portion, and wherein said support post structure is securedto said supporting surface.
 35. The flexible bag of claim 34, whereinsaid flexible bag extends upwardly from said supporting surface, and issecured to one of a support rim and said support post structure, whereinsaid support rim is positioned below said sloped upper portion of saidflexible bag.
 36. The flexible bag of claim 34, further comprising aplurality of cables attaching said support rim to said support poststructure.
 37. The flexible bag of claim 34, wherein said support poststructure comprises a hollow post.
 38. The flexible bag of claim 34,further comprising an entry/exit opening in any of said sloped upperportion and said support post structure.
 39. The flexible bag of claim34, further comprising an outer support fabric over said side portionand said sloped upper portion.
 40. The flexible bag of claim 34, furthercomprising a covering sheet over said side portion and said sloped upperportion.